With the continuous rise in the number of affected persons, governments across the world have imposed lockdowns, forcing a slowdown of economic activities. However, with the economic realities facing Nigeria and the world at large, regarding how the COVID-19 threatens to send many countries into recession, there is a need for businesses to thrive amidst the lockdown.

This has necessitated the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), to call for applications from technology operating companies that provide essential services, to allow them to carry out operations during the subsistence of the lockdown.

This was part of the recommendation of a ten-man advisory committee that was set up by NITDA to advise it on ways it can support the tech ecosystem, in order to avoid the shutdown of tech companies that could be of assistance to the nation, amidst the COVID-19 outbreak. The agency created an online application form to identify essential services for technology operating companies.

This call for applications comes a week after the government announced the initial 14-day lockdown in Lagos State, Ogun State, and the Federal Capital Territory Abuja; although, the lockdown order granted exemptions to certain specific industries outlined in the Federal Government COVID-19 Regulations 2020.

This is indeed a welcomed development as it seeks to encourage the provision of essential services and support technology companies, especially the startups, during the subsistence of the lockdown.